London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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THE STAFF E. T. White, T. E. Clarke, C. E. Percy, A. W. Slatter B.A., D.Paed. B.A., B.Paed. G. W. Hofferd, D. Emery, A. B. Neville, L. Gahan, N. Heffernan M.A., B.Paed. A. Stevenson, S. Pickles, W. E. Prendercast, J. G. McEachren, W. |. O ' Brlen B. A., B.Paed. B. A., B. I ' aed. B.A., B.Paed. B. A.

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A God Well-well, the world must turn upon its axis. And all mankind turn with it, heads or tails, And live and die, make love, and pay our taxer, And as the veering wind shifts, shift our sails. ONE cannot associate for a year with a group of students effervescing with good humor, abounding in health and vigor, scintillating with optimism and exuding cheerfulness without becoming attached to them, nor part at the end of the term without a pang of regret, but the spirit of time brings about these annual graduations and annual partings, and one can only say good-bye to the departing class and wish it God-speed on its journey to the next mile post. My message to the graduating class of 1923 is in brief, — play the game. Never in the life of Canada was it so necessary to observe the ethics of the game. It is rather important that the teacher should try to set up a high criterion. Playing the game means never falling short in courage, personal honor, self-respect, truthfulness, generosity, nor fair dealing. Rules of procedure govern or should govern our every action in life, even the little and simple ones that involve no great moral principles. In a movement so simple as leaving a street car there is a wrong way and a right way. By following the correct mode of conduct, the one selected by forethought and prescribed by wise convention — -a person avoids annoying, disturbing and ruffling his fellow citizens, and it is a large part of a person ' s duty in lite to get along with his fellow mortals. A teacher incurs certain responsibilities and implicitly agrees to perform certain undertakings; rank imposes obligations. We expect the soldier to be prompt in action, punctilious in the performance of duty, and courageous at all times. Similarly the teach er is expected to be always mindful of the duties his profession imposes on him. Little Sarah Crew in the loneliness of an English boarding school, subject to harsh treatment ami isolation, abused and humiliated, always managed to carry herself honorably and to avoid doing any act that could be classified as mean or dishonorable. Before deciding on a line of action she asked herself, would daddy approve ot this? She idealized her dead father, made his code her standard of conduct, and bore herself through a trying part of her lite with the dignity of the little lady that she was. It is well to have an ideal or standard and to live up to it, or as nearly up to it as one can. The world is a good place to live in; life is what we make it; an occupation is what the occupier puts into it; it is noble or ignoble according as he elevates it by good service, and a just pride in his work or lowers it by dearth ot effort or lack ot pride. If you would maintain a state of high mindedness play the game, and. it you further desire to add zest and success to lite, play up. Wm. Prendergast. May, 1923. peed

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Life at N TO begin the day we usually get up. This is possibly the most hated item of the day ' s routine and takes place any time between 7 o ' clock and 8.30 — mostly 8.30. Then comes a brief period of frantic dressing, and a hasty breakfast before our would-be-teacher starts for school eight blocks away at 8.-15. George Goulding would surely be envious if he could see us striving to get there by 8.50. If we are really fortunate we arrive in time to attend Chapel, the service of which consists of: Mr. Prendergast ' s Good Morning Students, reading of the Scriptures, repetition of the Lord ' s prayer and such announcements as are necessary. We eventually march to our classes, ladies first, to the tune of an inspiring march played by one or other of our fair students. The morning session consists of five periods during which: — Mr. Stevenson guides us along the paths of psychology, mingling knowledge with delightful wit- ticisms. Passing on to Mr. Clark we are shown the very best ways to improve the English of the coming generation, and to create a wholesome interest in the great outdoors. Dr. White seeks to straighten the way for all young teachers who otherwise would find school management their greatest problem. Mr. Prender- gast delights in teaching algebra and many an interesting geographical discussion takes place in the principal ' s class room. Mr. McEachren leans toward an over fondness of the Loyal John Simcoe and catchy grammatical constructions. The practice gained balancing ourselves on the high stools in the art room would be of much value were we destined for circus careers. Last but most enjoyable of all are Mr. Hofferd ' s lectures, in the gallery room, on chickens, butterflies, and other interesting subjects. His clever ambiguous statements are a source of much merriment usually at the expense of the ladies. With the final bell throngs of hungry students burst from the college doors to make their way in all haste to relieve the over-laden boarding house table. Spare moments gleaned at noon hour are usually devoted to neglected lesson plans or to such forms of exercise as may be in season. In the afternoon session we like to playgames with Mr. Slatter and earn our Strathcona certificates. Miss Gahan ' s reading of Children ' s Classics inspires more than ordinary interest in the Library Lectures. Mr. Percy delights us by assigning cunning rote songs to be taught before the class. The men parti- cularly enjoy these since the tune, once learned, is the source of much comfort to the young Romeos as they wearily plod their homeward ways, in th ' wee sma ' hours o ' th ' mornin. ' One often wonders why his one and only always lives on the other side of the city. Then Miss Neville brings us up in the way of all al School true bachelors and shows us how to avoid the evils of starvation and soiled dishes. Miss Emery teaches us the way of true artists and great might be the results had many of us not a stronger leaning toward house painting. Mr. Pickles would fain make carpenters of us all had we the necessary intelligence. This is not all. Each Monday the Ministers of the Gospel visit our institution to instruct us in the spiritual guidance of the child. Tuesday we are usually free at 4.30, and make the most of this opportunity to play team games. Wednesday our better half teaches, while we remain at home to look after the school. We usually know- Thursday by a sinking feeling in the stomach and a trembling of the knees. In the afternoon we set out to show the critic teachers what vague teaching qualities we possess. Following our performance the critic takes the stage and we are told in no uncertain terms just how poor we are. It is really a relief when a Normal Master criticises our lessons. Friday the critic teachers perform for our benefit and woe is the student who dares to observe a mistake. At 3 o ' clock is the meeting of the Literary Society at which we have enjoyed many excellent programs of a aried nature. Saturday Is a day of rest? (I guess not! !) Student teachers should study at least eight hours market day says Mr. Stevenson. However there are some students (seconds of course) who study only four hours on Saturday and the remainder of the time is spent in various outdoor diversions. On two occasions this day marked the visit of our friends from Stratford Normal. We are told; Sunday is a day on which to learn your duty. We know some students who consider it an excellent opportunity to wear out shoe leather and chesterfields. Monday ev ening has on several occasions been graced by delightful parties which will not soon be forgotten. Tuesday and Wednesday are days for study but one occasionally meets a wayward Normal Student (not of Form IV of course) far from the path of duty even on Wednesday evening. If we ha-ve an off-night it is Thursday. This evening was the one favored for many interesting basketball games as well as school and theatre parties. Friday is the day on which John delights to lake his Jane to one or other of the local picture houses as a frivolous celebration of the close of another week of lectures. Two visits were made to Stratford Normal School on this unlucky day. In closing we should note that such intelligent citizens as Normal Students practice the motto. Early to bed and early to rise. Particularly the early to bed part. We know one lad who is a few moments too early for the milk man. So do we live through our training course and few of us realize just how much we are enjoying ourselves. In the years to come we will all look back and recall with pleasure that we spent many of the happiest hours of our lives while attending the school where we made many of our greatest friends. W. C. Mildred.